Albany, GA to Wilmington Island, GA is 234.2 miles and takes about 4h 56m via Jim Gillis Historic Savannah Parkway, with a fuel budget near $36 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Southeast region, entirely within Georgia, making it a straightforward connection between two points. The route profile is mostly highway, suggesting a relatively quick transit. With only one recommended stop and a drive time under five hours, this is an easy one-day trip for most drivers.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
117.1 miles from Albany, GA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 39m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Jim Gillis Historic Savannah Parkway
115.9 mi
2h 5m
Cordele Road
35.2 mi
43m
GA 257
34 mi
46m
Chester - Dublin Highway
12.9 mi
18m
Empire-Chester Highway
8.8 mi
11m
Johnny Mercer Boulevard
3.5 mi
6m
East Victory Drive
3.5 mi
5m
Vienna Highway
3 mi
4m
Longest stretch:
Jim Gillis Historic Savannah Parkway
— 115.9 mi, about 2h 5m
Traffic on I-16
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 72 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~979 veh/hr typical
· worst 1,446
Quietest
1 AM
~111 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
8.8×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 105 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Albany, GA and Wilmington Island, GA.
1
Start on Pine Avenue
0.4 mi·44 sec·Pine Avenue
Use the straight lane.
2
Enter roundabout onto North Front Street
75 ft·5 sec·North Front Street
3
Continue on North Front Street
510 ft·14 sec·North Front Street
4
Turn left onto West Broad Avenue
1.5 mi·2 min·West Broad Avenue
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
5
Turn left onto Blaylock Street
0.2 mi·29 sec·Blaylock Street
6
Turn right onto Clark Avenue
2.2 mi·3 min·Clark Avenue
Use the straight lane.
7
Turn left onto GA 300
35 mi·43 min·Cordele Road
Use the left lane.
8
Turn left
0.3 mi·42 sec
Toward I-75 North: MaconUse the left lane.
9
Merge onto I 75
2.0 mi·2 min·I 75
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.4 mi·49 sec
Exit 102Toward GA 257: Cordele, HawkinsvilleUse the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Turn right onto GA 257
25 mi·34 min·GA 257
12
Turn straight onto GA 27; GA 257
3.0 mi·4 min·Vienna Highway
13
Continue on GA 27; GA 257
0.8 mi·1 min·McCormick Avenue
14
Merge onto US 129; US 341; GA 11; GA 27; GA 230; GA 257
1.2 mi·2 min·Broad Street
15
Continue on US 341; US 129 Alternate; GA 26; GA 27; GA 112; GA 257
127 ft·8 sec·US 341; US 129 Alternate; GA 26; GA 27; GA 112; GA 257
Use the left / straight lanes.
16
Turn left onto US 129 Alternate; GA 26; GA 112; GA 257
1.3 mi·2 min·US 129 Alternate; GA 26; GA 112; GA 257
Keep slight left at fork onto Johnny Mercer Boulevard
0.7 mi·1 min·Johnny Mercer Boulevard
34
Turn right onto Penn Waller Road
0.8 mi·2 min·Penn Waller Road
35
Turn right
289 ft·15 sec
36
Turn straight onto Olde Towne Road
0.3 mi·50 sec·Olde Towne Road
37
Turn left onto Gloucester Road
0.1 mi·29 sec·Gloucester Road
38
Turn left onto Wigmore Road
336 ft·19 sec·Wigmore Road
39
Turn left onto Wigmore Court
463 ft·20 sec·Wigmore Court
40
Arrive at destination
Wigmore Court
Trip Plan
Consider leaving Albany in the morning to give yourself ample time for the 4h 56m drive. With only one recommended stop and a total distance of 234.2 miles, you have flexibility in pacing yourself. Keep an eye on your fuel, as the estimated cost is around $36. The longest stretch without a major road change is over 115 miles, so plan your last fuel stop before starting that segment. This route is easily completed in a single day, so you can depart on your schedule.
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 117.1 miles from Albany, GA, or about 2h 39m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 115.9 miles.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 52 miles or 1h 8m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 117.1 miles or 2h 39m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Wilmington Island, GA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Albany, GA so your first major turns are already loaded.
+
Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.
+
Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Albany, GA
This is one driving day of about 234.2 miles and 4h 56m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 52 miles from Albany, GA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on Jim Gillis Historic Savannah Parkway for about 115.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 29
5 decision points cluster between mile 2.2 and 222.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
2.2 mi into trip|~4m in|Clark Avenue
Turn right onto Clark Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
6
39.7 mi into trip|~51m in
Turn left toward I-75 North: Macon
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Toward I-75 North: Macon
8
42 mi into trip|~54m in
Take the exit toward GA 257: Cordele, Hawkinsville
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 102
Toward GA 257: Cordele, Hawkinsville
6
106.3 mi into trip|~2h 27m in
Take the ramp toward Savannah
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Toward Savannah
6
222.6 mi into trip|~4h 33m in|GA 204
Take the exit onto GA 204 toward 37th Street, Abercorn Street
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 165
Toward 37th Street, Abercorn Street
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$37.20 one way
$74.41 round trip
$4.04/gal25.4 MPG avg82 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.40
$40.57
$81.14
premium
$4.78
$44.07
$88.15
diesel
$6.18
$56.97
$113.95
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$37
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$62–$87
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 81.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-12.
Driving Electric?
About $25 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
70.3
0
$24.59
$11.24
Efficient EV
58.6
0
$20.49
$9.37
EV Truck/SUV
93.7
1
$32.79
$14.99
Gas CO2
82 kg
EV CO2
27 kg (67% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Forecast as of Oct 18, 2026
Origin
Albany, GA
Morning
in Albany on Monday
Local time
8:41 AM
EDT
Current temp
67°F
Sunny
NE 10 to 15 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued October 18 at 4:43AM EDT by NWS Peachtree City GA
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued October 18 at 2:09AM EDT until October 18 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Charleston SC
Destination
Wilmington Island, GA
Morning
in Wilmington Island on Monday
Local time
8:41 AM
EDT
Current temp
68°F
Sunny
NE 13 to 20 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued October 18 at 4:43AM EDT by NWS Peachtree City GA
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued October 18 at 2:09AM EDT until October 18 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Charleston SC
Seasonal Notes
Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.
Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.
Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.
Time zone
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
1 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
4h 56m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Fort Pulaski National Monument
National Monument
For much of the 19th century, masonry fortifications were the United States’ main defense against overseas enemies. However, during the Civil War, new technology proved its superiority over these fort...
3 mi from route
~8 min detour
$10
near mile 234.2
Park Closure: McQueen's Island Trail Closed Beginning August 3, 2026
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
You'll spend about 67% of this drive on the highway. The longest continuous stretch is 115.9 miles on Jim Gillis Historic Savannah Parkway. After that, you'll transition to surface roads like Cordele Road and GA 257. Expect a mix of highway cruising and local road driving as you approach your destination.
67% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
40 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 115.9 mi on Jim Gillis Historic Savannah Parkway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Jim Gillis Historic Savannah Parkway and Cordele Road. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 2.2 miles in near Clark Avenue.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 29 significant decision points across 234.2 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 2.2 miles (Clark Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 39.7 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 42 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
409 ft12 ft
Total Climb
341 ft
Total Descent
532 ft
Highest Point
409 ft
~50.2 mi in
Elevation Range
398 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Albany, GA and Wilmington Island, GA, road signs point toward Hawkinsville and Savannah.
Albany is a city of 72,000 people (2019) in Dougherty County in Georgia's Plantation Midlands region. It is part of the Black Belt, the extensive area in the Deep South of cotton plantations. During 1961–1962, African Americans in Albany played a prominent role in the Civil Rights Movement, founding the Albany Movement, a desegregation and voters' rights coalition formed in 1961. Ray Charles, the singer, songwriter, pianist, and composer, was born here, and is remembered in a park with a statue.
Top landmarks
•Albany Municipal Auditorium — concert hall and multi-use auditorium in Albany, Georgia
•Old St. Teresa Catholic Church — church building in Albany, United States of America
•United States Post Office and Courthouse — historic building in Albany, Georgia
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 56m. Total distance: 234.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 56m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 115.9 miles on Jim Gillis Historic Savannah Parkway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 20 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Wilmington Island, GA before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. There are 20 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 2.2 miles (Clark Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 39.7 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 42 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Fort Pulaski National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.9 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.9 hours — manageable with a long break at Wilmington Island, GA, but most travelers stay overnight.
